The business behind the show

Fox, National Geographic to launch Spanish-language channel

April 1, 2011 | 5:06
pm

Looking to capitalize on the growing Latino audience, News Corp.'s Fox Networks and National Geographic are teaming up to launch a Spanish-language network.

Nat Geo Mundo will launch July 1 with a combination of content from the National Geographic Channel in Latin America, Spanish versions of programming from the National Geographic Channel in the U.S. as well as some original content.

The channel is an extension of the partnership between News Corp. and National Geographic Ventures. The partnership also owns Nat Geo Wild.

“Nat Geo Mundo will seek to inspire U.S. Latino families in their pursuit of prosperity, by expanding their horizons through entertainment about the world that surrounds them,” said Hernan Lopez, president and CEO of Fox International Channels, who will oversee Nat Geo Mundo.

Separately, Fox is also creating a new unit, Fox Hispanic Media, to sell advertising and market its three U.S. Spanish-language networks -- Nat Geo Mundo, Fox Desportes and Utilisima, which targets women.

“As the Latino community continues to grow and evolve at exponential rates, politicians and businesses are taking notice and scrambling to cater to this under-served segment,” Lopez said.